Holbrooke holds ‘explosive’ talks with Karzai

Holbrooke holds ‘explosive’ talks with KarzaiKabul, Aug. 28 : Concerned over the reports of massive fraud during the recent Afghan elections, the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke had an ‘explosive’ meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently.

According to the BBC, Holbrooke raised concerns over reports of ballot-stuffing and fraud, by a number of candidates'' teams during the election.

Sources termed the meeting, which was held on August 21, a day after the election, as ‘explosive’ and ‘a dramatic bust-up’, where Holbrooke suggested holding a second round run-off because of concerns about the voting process.

Sources said Karzai reacted very angrily at Holbrooke’s suggestion and the meeting ended shortly afterwards.

However, the spokeswoman for the US embassy in Kabul has denied any such altercation taking place.

She denied commenting on reports about Holbrooke storming out of the meeting, and also refused to divulge details of the meeting.

One of Karzai’s opponents Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is believed to have complained about the use of fraud and ballot stuffing by some members of the president''s campaign team, as well as other candidates. (ANI)